Clay target hanger

ABSTRACT

A mounting clip in configured to hold a clay target having an inside edge, a front face, a first top edge and a second top edge. The mounting clip has an attachment clip configured to attach to the mounting clip to a hanger. A clamping clip is immediately adjacent to the attachment clip configured to hold and support the clay target. The mounting clip supports the clay target from the hanger to facilitate shooting at the clay target.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in part of non-provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 14/143,232 filed on Dec. 30, 2013 which claims priority to provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 61/747,909 filed on Dec. 31, 2012, the entire contents of all of these applications are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to devices used as target accessories for recreational shooting.

Prior to the disclosed invention, clay targets would not stay in place in vertical cardboard target stands. Prior art clay holders attach to the ground, some hanged from lines. However, the present invention is the only one that punches into target stand which most people use to shoot any target, with rifles, BB guns or pistols. The disclosed invention allows for reuse. It possesses a low profile so that the hanger is shot less. It can be both inserted into cardboard backer of target stand and hung on a line. Embodiments of the disclosed invention solve this problem.

SUMMARY

A mounting clip in configured to hold a clay target having an inside edge, a front face, a first top edge and a second top edge. The mounting clip has an attachment clip configured to attach to the mounting clip to a hanger. A clamping clip is immediately adjacent to the attachment clip configured to hold and support the clay target. The mounting clip supports the clay target from the hanger to facilitate shooting at the clay target.

In some embodiments, the attachment clip further comprises a first segment which immediately adjacent to a second segment. A first rounded segment can be immediately adjacent to the second segment. The first rounded segment can be configured to fit through and around the hanger. A third segment can be immediately adjacent to the first rounded segment. A second rounded segment can be immediately adjacent to the third segment. The second rounded segment can provide a transition from the attachment clip to the clamping clip.

In some embodiments, the clamping clip further comprises a fourth segment immediately adjacent to the second rounded segment. A third rounded segment immediately adjacent to the fourth segment. A fifth segment can be immediately adjacent to the third rounded segment. The fifth segment can be configured to fit underneath the inside edge of the clay target. A fourth rounded segment can be immediately adjacent to the fifth segment. A sixth segment can be immediately adjacent to the fourth rounded segment. A fifth rounded segment can be immediately adjacent to the sixth segment. A seventh segment can be immediately adjacent to the fifth rounded segment. The seventh segment is configured to fit immediately adjacent to the first top edge of the clay target. A sixth rounded segment can be immediately adjacent to the seventh segment. An eighth segment can be immediately adjacent to the sixth rounded segment. The eighth segment can be configured to fit immediately adjacent to the front face of the clay target. A seventh rounded segment can be immediately adjacent to the eighth segment. The seventh rounded segment can be configured to fit immediately adjacent to a second top edge of clay target. A ninth segment can be immediately adjacent to the seventh rounded segment. An eighth rounded segment can be immediately adjacent to the ninth segment. A tenth segment can be immediately adjacent to the eighth rounded segment. The tenth segment can be configured to be manually separated from the first segment permitting insertion and removal of the clay target into the clamping clip.

In some embodiments, a first axis can be parallel to and central upon the first segment. A second axis can be parallel to and central upon the second segment. The first axis can intersect the second axis at a first intersection angle. The first intersection angle can be obtuse. The first intersection angle can be approximately 160 degrees.

In some embodiments, a third axis can be parallel to the third segment and can bisect the first rounded segment. A fourth axis can be parallel to and central upon the fourth segment. The third axis can intersect the fourth axis at a second intersection angle. The second intersection angle is obtuse. The second intersection angle can be approximately 95 degrees.

In some embodiments, the fifth segment can be parallel to the seventh segment and offset from the seventh segment by a height. The sixth segment can be parallel to the eighth segment and offset from the eighth segment by a length. The length can be greater than the height enabling the seventh segment to be immediately adjacent to the first top edge of the clay target. In some embodiments, the height can be approximately 0.210 inches and the length can be approximately 0.450 inches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention shown in use.

FIG. 2 is a reverse perspective view of an embodiment of the invention shown in use.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention shown in use.

FIG. 6 is a section view of an embodiment of the invention along line 6-6 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

By way of example, and referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, one embodiment of mounting clip 10. Mounting clip 10 is configured to hold clay target T as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 to hanger H as shown in FIG. 6.

Mounting clip 10 comprises attachment clip 20 immediately adjacent to clamping clip 30. Attachment clip 20 is configured to attach mounting clip 10 to hanger H. Clamping clip 30 is configured to attach mounting clip 10 to clay target T. Mounting clip 10 is able to support clay target T by having a series of segments that compress against three sides of clay target T: the front, the top and the bottom. In some embodiments, the rear side could also be supported.

FIG. 3 shows mounting clip 10 in more detail. Attachment clip 20 comprises first segment 22 which immediately adjacent to second segment 24 at an obtuse angle. Second segment 24 is immediately adjacent to first rounded segment 26. First rounded segment 26 is immediately adjacent to third segment 28, which is immediately adjacent to second rounded segment 31.

Second rounded segment 31 is a transition from attachment clip 20 to clamping clip 30. Clamping clip 30 comprises fourth segment 32. Fourth segment 32 is immediately adjacent to third rounded segment 34. Third rounded segment 34 is immediately adjacent to fifth segment 36 which is immediately adjacent to fourth rounded segment 37. Fourth rounded segment 37 is immediately adjacent to sixth segment 38. Sixth segment 38 is immediately adjacent to fifth rounded segment 39. Fifth rounded segment 39 is immediately adjacent to seventh segment 40. Seventh segment 40 is immediately adjacent to sixth rounded segment 42. Sixth rounded segment 42 is immediately adjacent to eighth segment 44, where eighth segment 44 is immediately adjacent to seventh rounded segment 46. Seventh rounded segment 46 is immediately adjacent to ninth segment 48. Ninth segment 48 is immediately adjacent to eighth rounded segment 50. Eighth rounded segment 50 is immediately adjacent to tenth segment 52.

For a standard sized clay target, when mounting clip 10 is made from a 0.475 inch 302 Stainless steel wire. The stainless steel wire should comply with ASTM-A-313. In this regard, the material will have an Elastic modulus will be around 193 GPa. This is a sufficient elastic modulus to facilitate manual expansion of first segment 22 from tenth segment 52 to permit removal of clay target T while permitting natural contraction to grasp clay target T. Further, the following geometric ratios will result in the most effective device as shown in FIG. 4.

First axis A1 is parallel and central upon first segment 22. Second axis A2 is parallel and central upon second segment 24. First axis A1 intersects second axis A2 at first intersection angle θ₁₂. In the preferred embodiment, is first intersection angle θ₁₂ is obtuse. In some embodiments, θ₁₂ is approximately 160 degrees. Third axis A3 is parallel to second axis A2, third segment 28 and bisects first rounded segment 26. Fourth axis A4 is parallel and central upon fourth segment 32. Third axis A3 intersects fourth axis A4 at second intersection angle θ₃₄. In the preferred embodiment, second intersection angle θ₁₂ is obtuse. In some embodiments, θ₁₂ is approximately 95 degrees. Fifth segment 36 is parallel to seventh segment 40 and offset from seventh segment 40 by height H1. In some embodiments, height H1 is approximately 0.210 inches. Sixth segment 38 is parallel to eighth segment 44 and offset from eighth segment 44 by length L1. In some embodiments, length L1 is approximately 0.450 inches.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show how these components can be configured to support clay target T from hanger H. First rounded segment 26 is configured to fit through and around hanger H. Fifth segment 36 is configured to fit underneath an inside edge of clay target T. Seventh segment 40 is configured to fit immediately adjacent to a first top edge of clay target T. Eighth segment 44 is configured to fit immediately adjacent to a front face of clay target T. Seventh rounded segment 46 is configured to fit immediately adjacent to a second top edge of clay target T.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above. 

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A mounting clip, configured to hold a clay target having an inside edge, a front face, a first top edge and a second top edge; the mounting clip, comprising: an attachment clip configured to attach to the mounting clip to a hanger; a clamping clip immediately adjacent to the attachment clip configured to hold and support the clay target; wherein the mounting clip supports the clay target from the hanger to facilitate shooting at the clay target.
 13. The mounting clip of claim 1, wherein the attachment clip further comprises: a first segment which immediately adjacent to a second segment; a first rounded segment immediately adjacent to the second segment; wherein the first rounded segment is configured to fit through and around the hanger; a third segment immediately adjacent to the first rounded segment; a second rounded segment immediately adjacent to the third segment; wherein the second rounded segment provides a transition from the attachment clip to the clamping clip.
 14. The mounting clip of claim 2, wherein the clamping clip further comprises: a fourth segment immediately adjacent to the second rounded segment; a third rounded segment immediately adjacent to the fourth segment; a fifth segment immediately adjacent to the third rounded segment; wherein the fifth segment is configured to fit underneath the inside edge of the clay target; a fourth rounded segment immediately adjacent to the fifth segment; a sixth segment immediately adjacent to the fourth rounded segment; a fifth rounded segment immediately adjacent to the sixth segment; a seventh segment immediately adjacent to the fifth rounded segment; wherein the seventh segment is configured to fit immediately adjacent to the first top edge of the clay target; a sixth rounded segment immediately adjacent to the seventh segment; an eighth segment immediately adjacent to the sixth rounded segment; wherein the eighth segment is configured to fit immediately adjacent to the front face of the clay target; a seventh rounded segment immediately adjacent to the eighth segment; wherein the seventh rounded segment is configured to fit immediately adjacent to a second top edge of clay target; a ninth segment immediately adjacent to the seventh rounded segment; an eighth rounded segment immediately adjacent to the ninth segment; and a tenth segment immediately adjacent to the eighth rounded segment; wherein the tenth segment is configured to be manually separated from the first segment permitting insertion and removal of the clay target into the clamping clip.
 15. The mounting clip of claim 3, wherein a first axis is parallel to and central upon the first segment; a second axis is parallel to and central upon the second segment; wherein the first axis intersects the second axis at a first intersection angle; and wherein the first intersection angle is obtuse.
 16. The mounting clip of claim 4, wherein the first intersection angle is approximately 160 degrees.
 17. The mounting clip of claim 3, wherein a third axis is parallel to the third segment and bisects the first rounded segment a fourth axis is parallel to and central upon the fourth segment; wherein the third axis intersects the fourth axis at a second intersection angle; and wherein the second intersection angle is obtuse.
 18. The mounting clip of claim 6, wherein the second intersection angle is approximately 95 degrees.
 19. The mounting clip of claim 3, wherein the fifth segment is parallel to the seventh segment and offset from the seventh segment by a height; the sixth segment is parallel to the eighth segment and offset from the eighth segment by a length; wherein the length is greater than the height enabling the seventh segment to be immediately adjacent to the first top edge of the clay target.
 20. The mounting clip of claim 8, wherein the height is approximately 0.210 inches and the length is approximately 0.450 inches.
 21. The mounting clip of claim 3, wherein the mounting clip is made from a material with sufficient elastic modulus to facilitate manual expansion of the first segment from the tenth segment to permit the removal of the clay target while permitting natural contraction to grasp the clay target. 